FOR DOG OWNERS NERVOUS ABOUT TRAINING: We could not have had a better experience. Gerry, in particular, was perfect for us and our dog. Not only was he informative with training and communicating with our dog, but he was very comforting to us as "newbies". We never felt overwhelmed, and he took no shortcuts in making sure we felt confident. Originally, using a "shock collar" was something we would not have entertained. After meeting with Troy and feeling it ourselves, we knew our fears were overblown. Our dog has made great strides in the three all-day sessions, and now feel completely confident to train him at home for continued progress. You're in good hands here - especially with Gerry :) read more

Buckle in folks, this is going to be a long one - but WELL worth the praise! I got a puppy and knew one of the most important things I needed to look into was training. I spoke with a friend and they referred us to Sit Means Sit. They told me they've never been more proud of their dogs and all the progress they made than they are with having trained under SMS. I was a bit worried about the way they went about training with the collars, but was allowed to try them out and see what my pup would be experiencing - all through the entire sign up process my questions had been answered with certainty and confidence, never once a bit of hesitation which helped build my confidence in picking this training group. They always had such amazing resources if I needed extra help outside of the facility, always answered my texts or calls when I had concerns or questions and always offered a smile when I walked in. It's been an absolute joy training under this company. I've had dogs my whole life, trained them my whole life and yielded great results on my own accord but never results this amazing. SMS helped open my eyes to a world of information on training I never knew before and the journey has been fabulous. Each day and each training session getting better and better - and the best part? My dog has fun with the sessions, works hard and knows she'll be rewarded for a job well done. If you have your second thoughts about picking SMS - give them a talk, iron out those concerns and pick them! They're worth every second I've spent with them!! read more

I took Zoe to Sit Means Sit to get help with a couple of behavioral issues and some confidence issues around new people. The initial consultation with Troy was very informative and helped ease my worries about the training itself. Within the first week of the boarding program, I started seeing some improvements in Zoe's attention and getting her to stay on many different "places" inside and outside. It took a little longer for her to learn certain things (every dog is different!) but the trainers she worked with (Trisha and Christian) were very kind and patient with both of us and helped us learn how to go about training Zoe in the areas she struggled with. We still continue to use the e-collar just as we did during the program for positive training and I couldn't be happier with its effectiveness. I would highly recommend SMS North Austin to anyone looking to get help training their fur babies! read more

Sit Means Sit Dog Training - Zoe holding "place" on a park bench - Pet Training Near Me - Austin, Texas

My wife and I took our 7 month old (at the time) German Shorthaired Pointer to Sit Means Sit to become a good boy in the fall of 2017. He did a three week board and train with Kelley and came back a totally different pup. He wasn't bad before but it was time for him to learn how to channel his energy. Kelley would send us video updates every other day to show us his progress. I was blown away with how much he learned in only three weeks. Whether it was Home Depot, the park, the farmers market, or Bed Bath and Beyond, he was being a good boy all over Austin! If another dog comes into our life in the future, he/she will definitely learn to be a good boy or girl at Sit Means Sit. read more

I love this place. Got a new puppy and wanted some tips. My trainer was patient, asked me lots of questions, then helped train me as much as she trainer the puppy. So awesome. read more

When Badger was a year old I decided to look at training for him. He wasn't necessarily a problem dog that absolutely required a ton of behavioral training, but he's a goofball that would be way too excited around new people and I couldn't keep him outside a play pen without a ton of supervision. I taught him things like sit, stay, but not enough for me to be confident when around other people that he wouldn't jump on them. Anyway, after 3 training sessions for a full day with trainers and a 1 on 1 training session, all of that changed. He is controllable around other people and under command he will relax in his bed without the need for a fenced play pen/crate or worrying that he ran off somewhere that I can't see him. I see a large amount of reviews about the collar and people get the wrong impression about them: these are not tasers for dogs, this is not electroshock therapy. If you go along with their collar or other ecollars like the educator its more like a tap on the neck on the lower end and like you are stomping your foot on the mid end. If you are still uneasy, take the evaluation and they will give you an opportunity to try it on yourself, I frankly couldn't even feel it much at all at the setting Badger would respond to most of the time. Sit Means Sit was well worth the money for me and I haven't even done all the classes yet! read more

I can't believe that we've been with Sit Means Sit and I have yet to leave a review. These trainers are life savers! We brought our 7 year old rescued Cattle Dog, Callie, aka Loudmouth, to Sit Means Sit probably 2 months after adopting her. She was sweet but highly reactive on the leash, barked incessantly at full volume, was a menace in the car, and wanted nothing more than to eat our cats. We even had several other trainers turn us away because Callie was too much to handle or they didn't know what to do with her. Our first few sessions at SMS were with Krystal, Carrie and Cortnie and we could not believe the marked difference in Callie's behavior in a short period of time. We went through several months of Feisty Fido classes with her - at first, she couldn't even cope with other dogs being in the warehouse at the same time. By the time we graduated from Feisty and into Transitional classes, Callie was sitting butt to butt and laying next to other dogs and we were able to introduce her to our friends non reactive dogs. We now bring Callie to the advanced classes and are able to work her off leash around many other dogs, including some reactive dogs that once upon a time would have sent her into a fit. Quality of life has improved for both my husband & I as well as Callie. She is no longer a scared, yell at everything kind of dog - just a goofy, fun loving pup whose best friends are our two cats. Fellow classmates, friends and family cannot believe this is the same dog we brought in just over a year ago, nor can newcomers believe that she was feistier than most! In fact, we believe in the method so and love SMS so much that we've gotten our new rescue, Banjo, signed up to start classes as well. One thing I will note regarding the collar - it is the best training tool we have in our arsenal. My husband volunteered (or may have been volun-told) to test out all the the collar settings on palm before we put it on Callie. It feels much more like a TENS unit that you'd use at a physical therapists office than what I'd imagine a shock collar would feel like. It also has an incredible number of settings that allow you to use the lowest possible setting needed in order to obtain your dog's attention. We use the collar every day, especially during our training classes - and as I mentioned above, Callie loves nothing more in the world than participating in class. Seriously can't wipe the smile off that dog's face when we're there. If you're looking for a training method that has the potential to drastically change the relationship between you & your dog, and change both of your lives for the better, Sit Means Sit is the way to go! read more

Sit Means Sit Dog Training - Callie, our Cattle Dog we never thought we'd be able to take out of the house, showing off her place skills while out running errands. - Pet Training Near Me - Austin, Texas

I took my puppers here for a puppy training class. We had a pleasant experience. Maci was our trainer and she obviously enjoys her work and what she is doing. We learned a bit, and got to practice some in class. You should know that you need to be reinforcing and practicing at home. 4 Saturday classes does not a trained puppy make! This is on YOU to continue the work. I would give them a chance for another class as well. We enjoyed it. read more

We have a rescue who is very anxious and nervous is new setting with loud noises. We recently moved to Austin and she's been having such a hard time adjusting so we knew we needed help. From the initial consultation it was clear that all of the trainers at Sit Means Sit are VERY knowledgable and understand how to work with all types of dogs. We did the majority of our private lessons with Trisha and Ray and they were both fantastic and I could tell my dog really enjoyed working with them. We've done group lessons with Adam who is also great. Our dog now has so much more confidence and is MUCH less anxious and we're able to take her out to do things we could have never managed before. I highly recommend Sit means sit for anyone needing help with their dog! read more

My 3-yr-old Shiba started to show some aggressive behavior toward other dogs and a little defiance toward me, so I signed him up for 3 day training sessions. Misia, Leslie and Crystal were great! I'd just drop him off in the morning, go to work, and swing by on the way home. They worked with me and made sure I knew all the stuff they taught him and provided many helpful tips to help me pull rank and show him who's alpha. We had our private lesson yesterday and Remy didn't even move when Crystal's dog invaded his bubble. He was a relatively good dog to begin with, but given that I could see such an improvement, even after day one, is truly impressive! I would highly highly recommend Sit Means Sit to any dog owner! read more

Sit Means Sit Dog Training - Misia got Remy to place on a bucket at Home Depot. His feats attracted an audience, and someone even asked if he was a circus dog! - Pet Training Near Me - Austin, Texas

I would give this facility unlimited stars if I could. My dog, newton, is reactive secondary to being abused. They are soooo good and kind and gentle with him and taught both him and myself so much. He went from a terrified dog to a confident dog because of them. I can not recommend them enough. read more

Buyer beware. If they decide your dog needs to be in a muzzle, they will not help you get him or her in the muzzle. Instead, they tell you not to bring the dog back until you have the dog muzzled. We were frustrated because our dog was young and one particular trainer demanded the muzzle after her first time with our dog. Because the trainer passed this judgement, Sit Means Sit didn't let us back, didn't help us with the muzzle, and didn't refund our money. To be clear, it's all within the contract, it just doesn't feel like they actually care about helping our dog or us. read more

I've got a pretty good dog who knew basic commands, but would pull the leash on walks and went ballistic (in an excited, not aggressive) manner when she saw other dogs. I signed her up for a week of boarding with Sit Means Sit so they could work with her on these issues. I see that some people think that the training collar is a "shock" collar, but I think people miss the point: we, as humans, are completely inconsistent, and dogs don't get that. The collar is not meant to punish, and should never be used that way. My dog quickly learned that I was looking for her attention, and I rewarded her for giving it to me. The collar helps me get and keep her attention, even during challenging situations. The trainers did a GREAT job of helping me understand how to properly use the collar, how to show my dog what is expected, and how to reward her for the good response. They also taught me to be consistent. This helps my dog understand what I want from her. The trainers are professional, courteous, kind, and consistent in their messaging. Walks with my dog have gone from stressful to delightful. We went to our first group lesson and my dog behaved beautifully around 15 other dogs she'd never met before - a far cry from her previous "OMG!!!!" behavior. She is happy to be making me happy, and we're bonding even more than we had before. I'm dedicated to this method, and I saw a whole group of believers at the group class. It's not cheap, and it's also not for people who are lackadaisical in their dog ownership, but for those who want a great dog with great manners and are willing to understand this kind of training, it's fantastic! read more

Our journey to great dog training culminated when we found Troy and Sit Means Sit. We visited and interviewed a few (8) other board and train facilities, who woulda thunk that Austin would have a few...dozen? During my conversation with Troy he outlined how the program worked and supplied me with his background and general philosophy behind dog training. I was very impressed with the way he handled the conversation to say the least. He was not trying to sell me anything, he stated what they could offer and told me, "If this is a good fit for you and Bernie then we can move forward when you like." We did and have not looked back! Bernie, our 1.5 year old Boxer had aggression issues and needed help with walking on a leash, off leash recall and general obedience. We had an initial visit at Sit means Sit and Troy evaluated Bernie and we sat down and discussed his future training needs. We decided on a 2 week board and train, with that we also got 2 personal training sessions and a lifetime of group classes. How Awesome is that?! He stayed at the Belton location with Wes, when I say with Wes that means he stayed at his house. Other board and trains place the dogs in kennels at night and during the day. Bernie was able to socialize during the day with a few other dogs and got personal attention during the day as well. AWESOME After he returned: Bernie showed great improvement with his off leash recall, staying on his "place" until released, Sit, Place (similiar to stay), and has a desire to learn. Before he was a 9 year old child pumped up on cotton candy and soda that needed ADD medicine , true story people. thank you Troy and Wes! Scott, Stacey and Bernie read more

Sit Means Sit has been an absolute game changer for me. I just finished my third week of all day training for my Boxer "Mack". Mack is a super active energetic Boxer and his manners needed some work. He was a big jumper, growled for attention and listened when he felt it was most convenient for him. The difference has been night and day since I have taken him here. He doesn't jump anymore, walks right by my side, and has just changed in a such an awesome way while still maintaining his goofy Mack qualities. He absolutely loves Misia and gets super excited when he sees her. Misia has been great as well as the whole staff at a Sit Means Sit. Mack just completed his first group class and is excited to continue. I've seen first hand how awesome this place is and I HIGHLY recommend them and couldn't be happier with them. read more

Its really expensive over 1000$ You can get shock collar from petmart or petco less than 300$. Group meeting is only one thing i would say its worthy. I had borderline between giving away my puppy and training. I just did not have heart to giveaway my puppy.. So i decided to pay almost $1000 value of training. Its 3 or 4 private lesson and group meeting a year. I have class from 8am till 4 pm ( monday till friday) I have part time job weekend. Whenever i can, i go to group meeting but i tried to go 6pm north park .. But because of traffic, i never get to made it to group session. Okay, 1. If you have money for training go for it. 2. Its not what they are going do it for you.. You need to practice with your dog. Basically you know it. 3. Just because it is expensive, it is going to fix your dog behavior. 4. You dont have time, do not buy group session. Just buy private lesson 5. If you can do at home regularly training your dog, that is better and save $1000 6. If you are full time student try to save money and no time, it is not the best place. 7. Great trainer and they are really great with dogs. 8. Money value does not match with outcome. And remember they do not do it for you. You need to put your hours and effort. So its is like going to gym. You want to lose weight so you pay fee. But money does not lose weight for you, your time and effort in the gym will bring the result. 9 you can go cheaper rates of pet training. Because anyway you need to spend your time.. read more

Alright- I've been meaning to post this review for a long time, but only because I wanted to make sure that it wasn't sheer luck that my dog became so obedient. I have a four year old lab mix, and although I love her to death, she is HYPER. I'm talking, jumping off walls just trying to get peoples attention. I'd get anxiety just taking her to my parents house to visit because I was worried she might break/hurt something. I found SMS through yelp, and the reviews do not lie. This place is exceptional. B did a 1 week submersion program while I went on vacation, and the rest is history. When we go to dog parks she listens to me every command. If There's a fight happening, I can grasp her attention before she gets in the way. If I see a deer in the distance, I can pull B's attention back to me without worrying about her chasing it. I've taken her to a private gym and she sat on a bench for ONE HOUR while I worked out. My dog would've NEVER done that before this program. If you want to have the best behaved dog on the block, consider sit means sit!! read more

We have a 4.5 year old lab mix and had just gotten a new puppy (about 6 mos old) from the Humane Society. Both dogs were really pretty good as is, but there were a few things we really needed to address, including that the puppy liked to chase the cats. A friend had used Sit Means Sit (SMS) and had good things to say about it, and I liked the description I saw on line. We scheduled our free consultation and opted to go with the one week immersion program for both dogs. Favorite things about this program: 1) they sent us a video of our pups in training every couple of days-we got to see their progress and also start learning how to continue the work in the future 2) they have a very secure facility with temperature controls that are connected to the trainers and facility staff, some of whom live very close by 3) they laid the foundation, so that our human mistakes didn't totally mess things up 4) they trained us to be good, consistent trainers to our pups, so we were all happier 5) we got three follow up individual sessions (two at our house and one at a park-as of this writing, we have only had the first two) and a year's worth of weekly group training sessions, which are really good for holding us accountable as trainers.6) the collars are water proof and guaranteed for life! Yes, it is an investment and is expensive (you get a little discount with two dogs), but it really was worth it for us and our family (our cats are significantly happier!). Our pups are better behaved in general, even without constant training. It wears them out, b/c they are actively thinking and processing and paying attention (our puppy sometimes falls asleep during training class, which is adorable). read more

Are you a first time dog lover but have no idea how to train your dog? Are you a long time dog owner but just want a better behaved dog? Then look no further than Sit Means Sit Dog Training. For my birthday this year, my wonderful boyfriend got me a dog. Finally. I've only been asking for oh, 5 + years. :) We rescued him from Austin Pets Alive. His mom was an Australian Shepherd but we don't know what the dad was. We think perhaps Retriever because he has so much golden color to him. His name is Walter Kronkite. Since my boyfriend has never owned a dog or grown up around dogs and refused to read any of the comprehensive books I bought, I decided to go with electronic dog collar training. We worked with both Danielle and Jacob and both are fantastic. We signed up for 3 one-hour personal lessons and unlimited group classes. The first class was at their office, the second at Garrison Park and the 3rd at our apartment. At the first lesson, Danielle went over the collar logistics with us. I know what you might be thinking: I AM NOT GOING TO SHOCK THE SHIT OUT OF MY DOG. Well, let me tell you the difference between what you might thinking and what actually happens. The electronic collar is not a shocking mechanism like the electric fence collar you may be thinking of. This collar has a remote that looks like a walkie-talkie and goes up in strength. There are also buttons for low, medium and high. I held it in my hand and had the trainer push the button so I could feel it against my skin so I know what Walter was going to feel. It is gentle, but it does go up in strength, but it's sole purpose it to get your dogs attention with distractions. It gets his attention and allows him to listen to you. We just completed our 3rd personal lesson and we can already walk Walter without a leash throughout our complex and at auditorium shores. The folks at Sit Means Sit are beyond professional and they go above and beyond. You can call them anytime with any questions. They produce real results and the best behaved dogs on the planet. This training is WORTH EVERY PENNY. Trust me. If you want your dog to listen, not jump, come to you when called, and just be an overly amazing animal to you, your family and your guests, take your dog to Sit Means Sit. You will NOT be disappointed!! read more

Typically when reading reviews, you hear about someone specific there to go see because they do a great job.... Well, if I listed the many AMAZING staff members from Sit Means Sit my review would be a long list! Every single person there has been so refreshing to work with! I couldn't thank them all enough. I have a 125lb mastiff breed pup that not only huge has a reactiveness towards other dogs. Obviously a puppy that big and reactiveness are a formula for disaster...Especially in Austin where everyone has dogs (not all well mannered unfortunately) I tried every method of pinch, choke, martingale, halters, head leads, chest leads...on and on for different methods to reduce the pulling when he would see other dogs. Nothing worked and my huge pup was only getting bigger and bigger. I finally went to Sit Means Sit and met Troy. He sat down one on one with me to evaluate my dog's behavior and training needs. I was given a recommendation and never pressured to buy in at any moment. I left home to "think about it" like we all say! And after a couple more weeks of struggling I decided to sign my boy up for their "Extreme" training. It's been 6 weeks and it's like I have a new appreciation of what really training your dog is about. We have come leaps and bounds from where we were! My dog no longer pulls on the leash...serious talk!! We enjoy our daily lives with little to no issues. One thing to understand is that your dog will never be an iPad that does exactly what you command 100% of the time. They're animals that have impulses just like we do. And learning to harness that energy and control impulses for any animal isn't an easy task. This is something that requires just as much effort from the owners as it does from the dogs. At Sit Means Sit they truly understand how to train you to train your dogs. They do something great called "lifestyle" training. This shows you how to incorporate their training into your daily life. This was perfect for me given that we ALL have daily lives to live!! I certainly didn't want a 175lb misbehaved beast. This place really knows what they're doing and I promise you won't be disappointed with the results!!!! Great job Sit Means Sit Austin!!! Y'all have given me a dog back! Sooo happy we made the choice to come here!!!!! read more

Sit Means Sit Dog Training - By Jove! - Pet Training Near Me - Austin, Texas

So, I've been working with Sit Means Sit for about 4 months now, and I have grown to love them more and more ... I highly recommend them, but read the other reviews before you go in for consultation: Yes, they will try hard to sell to you, and Yes they are expensive. Truthfully, though, they are worth every penny if you take advantage of their services. You will be amazed at the results. SMS is a perfect example of you get what you pay for: - Lifetime warranty on the collar - Many top-notch trainers who know dogs very well - Infinite # (really) of group sessions - PERFECT for training dogs around other dogs in a controlled environment - Great times and locations and frequency of group sessions - A personal trainer who I can text when things go wrong or I have questions - Canine Good Citizen prep and testing on site I'm a first time dog owner, and after 4 months, my now 1 year old puppy is so well-behaved and confident, and - I know how to communicate with my dog in a way we both understand - I don't worry at dog parks, fenced or not, he will come when called - He doesn't jump on visitors - He hasn't once bolted out the front door, even when it's left open - He doesn't pull his leash when walking or running! - I can walk with him off leash most places and he just sticks to my side - We get lots of compliments on our good behavior :) My dog's confidence, my confidence, and our bond is stronger than ever. Thanks so much to Danielle. And thank you Troy. And the rest of the staff and the lovely SMS dogs. read more

In brief: You spend a crapload of money on your dog. Go the distance and have a dog that behaves; no half measures! Would and have recommended SMS to several people, they are excellent. Detail: We have a 6 month old labradoodle puppy who was acting like.... a 6 month old labradoodle puppy. She is extremely smart, but definitely has labrador energy and poodle attitude. Our wants were pretty simple: come when called, be a good on and off leash walker, stop licking faces and jumping on folks-- basically just be the sweet dog she is but cut out all of the annoying crap. We did 3 private lessons, 1 at the facility on Mesa, 1 at Northwest Park, and 1 at our home. In the moment, I have to admit, it truly felt like "Wait, that's it? This was a heck of a lot of money to spend for you to quickly show me what to do and then just watch me do it." But that's just it- they kept it very simple, taught us how to correct her behavior, showed us that our expectations for her behavior were way lower than she was capable of, and left it at that. It's nice to feel like it's not some huge act of congress to train the dog, just simple, diligent persistence. We continue to train her using the collar, but it's not a task. Pearl enjoys doing the right thing, and being rewarded for it. She is so stimulated by the training, that she truly enjoys it. The only tough part for us was that the scheduling was really difficult to put together. I am sure we keep abnormally tight schedules, but trying to line up 3 days that worked for us was a total mess. I believe they only have a few trainers, and obviously weekends get booked well in advance. If you have a puppy, you shouldn't even be thinking about this. Just do it. read more

How many times have you been at a bark park and your voice is one of the several unanswered humans calling their distracted canine companion? The effects of this style training are very quick, and after using the Sit Means Sit method my dog knows that "come" means come to me and pay attention to me. This gives me so much more confidence taking her out in public! Staff is friendly and knowledgable. They teach you how to train your dog so you are not dependent on the them (though packages where they train your dog for your are available). I researched several dog training companies in Austin and am very pleased that I decided to go with Sit Means Sit! read more

Sit Means Sit is a one method fits all program that may not work for ALL dogs. I rescued my 3 year old dog and wanted to get him trained after I saw some reactivity with other dogs. So I researched and saw that Sit Means Sit had many positive reviews so I figured why not! We had to wait about 3 months because of the waitlist, so I was really pumped that it was a popular place. During this wait time, my dog bit a sitter who he didn't recognize when we went out of town so he was getting worse. I called to express his new reactivity and they assured me they can fix him. Orientation: During your first meeting you go into a room with a staff member and they review your dog and suggest what program to choose. We wanted our dog to be perfect so we picked the most expensive one. During this meeting, they introduce the E-Collar and assure you that isn't a shock collar and it gets a bad rep. They make you feel it on your hand so you know that it doesn't hurt. They're sure to put it at the lowest setting so it feels weird but no pain. You tour their facility and they have their personal trained dogs there to show you that your dog can be just like them. I asked TONS of questions! I wanted to be sure that we could take him to all the fun Austin dog-friendly spots like cafes, breweries, and hikes. They assured me that they do doggie trips to Home Depot and pet stores and you can even see it on Instagram, so it all looks promising. Training: We did 2 day a week training for a month. Dropped him off at 8am and picked him up around 5pm. We noticed there were TONS of dogs in the facility at this point. The facility is pretty much a huge garage and it's HOT the dogs are panting and the trainers are sweating (which I'm sure is from actual training but I'm sure the garage doesn't help). All the dogs are chained to the floor on a place mat with a water bowl nearby. Mine was muzzled because of his reactivity. Anytime I picked up my dog he would run straight for the water, I've never seen him so thirsty in my life. Not to say they're starving them, but it was noticeable my dog was hot and dehydrated. As the training progressed, I could tell that my dog was A LOT for the trainers. They would try to show me what he learned throughout the day and my dog was unruly and just wanted to leave. They assured me he was just frustrated and didn't want to do it, which I believed, because they're the professionals. My dog had a new trainer every day and everyone had different methods on using the E-Collar. It was normal for my dog to be at a level 5-7 on the collar. I even had a trainer tell me it was okay to push the highest button on the side if I get into a situation that seems dangerous, which I was told at orientation to NEVER use. Fast forward to the last week of training. I voiced my concerns to the trainer that my dog seemed to be worse and I was still unable to leash walk him. I asked if he ever is trained outside of the garage and I was told that those fun doggie trips you see on Instagram is not a guarantee because it takes away training time having to drive back and forth (but remember my dog was there from 8am-5pm). I asked how come he wasn't better at leash pulling and was told my dog is stubborn and maybe I should also get him a prong collar and that prong collars get a bad rep and they are actually the SAFEST COLLAR to use on dogs. This is when I knew the trainers needed more training themselves. My dog was even more reactive than before, getting into dog fights and having to up the level on the e-collar and it just didn't work. He was agitated and would loudly yelp and twitch his neck. I realized, what if my e-collar dies or I forget it at home? What if I want a pet sitter or to take him grooming? Do I need to train every person how to use this collar? It was starting to not make sense to me. They weren't FIXING the problem, they were putting a band-aid on it. I decided to put level 5 on my hand to feel it and I CRIED. I decided to pull him from the program and got some of my money back. I will say even though some of the trainers get attitudes if you question their methods, management is really nice about it which I appreciate. So I researched another program & found "Beyond the Dog" training it's HEAVEN SENT especially for reactive dogs. The methods are created & changed depending on the dog's breed and its reactivity. My trainer Alex trains K-9's in the military and attack dogs so I KNEW he would be able to handle my dog. He said e-collars/prong collars are fine if used properly but it took him MONTHS in the military to train with them. He tried one method and realized my dog didn't respond so he changed methods and trained him another way. He's with him for ONE hour and takes him to parks, cafes, and bars. He fixed my dog's mental state. In just 2 weeks my dog changed and doesn't need a muzzle, e-collar, can be outside around dogs, and we know how to read his body language to prevent anything bad from happening. read more

I've always been the hesitant type of person that never thought professional dog training would be what we needed. I mean our lab rescue Nymeria is 3 years old and behaves "well enough." She sits most of the time, pulls a little on the leash but not too bad, and comes over about 75% of the time when we call her. I felt that just because she wasn't destructive or aggressive, she doesnt need dog training right? Well I was wrong. After the initial free consultation I was amazed at what the trainers here can help me with on Nymeria. I enrolled in the year program with personal individual sessions (at SMS center, at home, and at the park) and then was finally ready for the group classes. After a few group classes Nymeria can walk off leash with us easily and her "come" is 100%. Her focus and eye contact is on us and when we go out to parks I don't have to worry about her running off to a kid or another dog. I never thought this was possible because I swore that Nymeria has doggy ADHD! I have highly recommended SMS to several of my friends now and listening to their success stories/progress makes me so happy that they are able to help others as well. The staff here is amazing! Vivian at the front is always so accommodating to my crazy work schedule, Troy the owner has been very understanding and all the trainers here are all top notch! You absolutely see that they have so much love for dogs! Extra shout out to trainers Cortnie and Carrie!! read more

We adopted a puppy during the summer of 2020. We quickly learned that she was reactive to people and had a difficult time walking on a leash. We tried a few places and it was not a good fit. We found Sit Means Sit and had a free consultation with the owner, Troy, and signed up that night for day classes. Our pup was trained while we were at work and then at pick up there is a lesson with information on what to work on. There is always a homework email so you can practice. We have been so impressed with the quality of training that she received. We are looking forward to joining the group lessons and using the strategies they taught us to continue socializing her with more people and pups. read more

I wrote a review not long after we started with SMS and a year later, I'm even more in love with these guys! I can't begin to express the level of frustration my dogs and I were at before we started this training. I dreaded taking them outside, they jumped and scratched me, barked constantly, we couldn't have company, they ran away at every opportunity. If there was a bad behavior to be had, mine had it. I was at my wits end. I laugh now with Cortnie about the first time I walked into the warehouse with tears in my eyes because even the short drive there was so exhausting and frustrating. She promised me that day that I would be able to have my dogs off leash, take them with me wherever I went and be dogs I could enjoy again. I knew she was making big promises and I was skeptical. Cortnie and this team delivered on these promises. Now I can take my dogs to dog parks where they get along with other dogs, I take them with me to restaurants where they calmly hang out, I can safely drive without them jumping on me or barking in my ear. I can leave my dogs on "place" and know they will stay until I call them. This skill is so handy when my hands are full or we are in a busy place where their safety is a concern. We can have company without me worrying about them being completely wild and out of control. I can let them off leash and know they will come back when called. Anyone who knew my dogs before will confirm the total 180 these guys have made. And the best part...THEY ARE SO MUCH HAPPIER! Before this training, my dogs constantly showed signed of anxiety and stress. They were always worried about everything around them. Sit Means Sit helped me become the "leader of our pack". My dogs now know they don't have to worry about everything, that's my job. They are able to relax in environments they are unfamiliar with because they know I won't let anything happen to them, that I wouldn't ask them to do something unsafe. I would shout it from the rooftops how much this team changed our lives. They gave me hope we could be better and they did not fail me. read more

Sit Means Sit Dog Training - My best girls showing off their "place" skills. They've never been happier! - Pet Training Near Me - Austin, Texas

Our dog is 42 lbs of mutt hunting dog that was rescued by a family member from a parking lot. While he's cuddly and energetic, his time without a home left him aggressive towards other dogs and children. Initially we tried clicker training, but it wasn't getting the results we needed to keep him as a pet. He would pay attention to the clicker only when there were no other distractions, and once he saw a squirrel or a child, the clicker didn't exist to him. Because he was displaying aggression towards children, we took him to sit means sit. During the consultation, the trainer had his full attention in seconds. Since then, we've been taking him to group classes with other owners, and i can't recommend it enough. While our dog still has aggression, the amount is vastly reduced and, more importantly, is now manageable. We've had multiple sessions introducing him to children (using a muzzle) without incident. Highly recommended if you can afford it. read more

I have been a client of Sit Means Sit Auston for over a year now. We had a very high energy mini Australian Shepherd that was completely uncontrollable before she started her training with them. Our pup has been through other formal training with very minimal results. After a one week board and train we received back a completely balanced dog. She was the same lovable pup we dropped off, but now she listened for commands, responded immediately to what we asked her to do, and picks up new training rapidly. Along with now having a centered and balanced dog, we love the social community sit means sit has created. All the owners and dogs are great to be around and it makes the group trainings something to look forward to. And lastly the trainers are awesome. Fun the be around and they so obviously love their jobs. They do an amazing job. Danielle was the one who has spent the most time with our pup and our dog clearly has a special bond with Danielle. We trust Danielle with our dog and only leave our dog with Danielle when we go out of town. The rest of the trainers rock as well! read more

LOVE these guys. I had some minor obediene issues with my husky lab mix. six classes, they're all fixed. She listens, sits, stays, places like a champ. They essentially made her the best that she can be, and made me the happiest doggy mom ever :) read more

I have nothing but great words to say about Sit Means Sit Dog Training. I adopted Chief from Austin Pets Alive almost a year ago and he would never come when I called his name, always pulled on the leash and had started to develop a bit of aggression towards strangers out in public. After three weeks of at home training with the trainer Jacob, Chief comes when I tell him to come, walks without a leash, and will sit on place no matter what is going on around him (cars, grown men, children, cats, you name it, he stays). His confidence as a dog is soaring and he's even begun to like to play fetch (which he never played before). GREAT JOB!! I couldn't be happier. And so is Chief! Thanks guys!!!!! read more

We LOVE Sit Means Sit! We have a wonderfully smart and energetic Golden Retriever who can learn any new trick in minutes. However, when we added distractions we lost her attention. We lucked out coming to SMS-Austin. Since we began training with them in January Echo has become so much more focused and attentive. Her recall is AWESOME now and she hasn't lost an ounce of the spark that we love. She has even learned some new tricks! She even earned her Canine Good Citizen certificate!! Every class is different. Different exercises, different dogs, different distractions. Most classes end with a "game" too. Group classes are FUN! We have been to probably 25-30 classes and we just want more. Practice makes taking your dog to the trail, restaurants, bars etc so much more fun! There are a few different options for training but everyone gets private lessons to start. This is really helpful so that when you come to group you're ready to work. They also offer Canine Good Citizen Testing, Dog Dock classes and there is even a seasonal TRICKS class. *The classes are scheduled to accommodate working professionals all over Austin. North/South, Evening/Weekend. *The trainers are professional, knowledgable, patient and encouraging. *This is a family business and they treat their clients like family. They are invested in their clients' success. WOOF! WOOF! Ashley & Echo read more

We did a 2week board and train for our 9month Aussie. The staff couldn't have been more helpful. Adam was a pleasure to work with. Our girl is a great dog but got distracted very easily and would not listen to commands. After 2 weeks, she's a new dog but with her same silly quirks we love. I honestly think our relationship is better and she's more mentally challenged. I feel a lot safer knowing she will listen and not pick up things off the pavement, she will walk right with me when I need her to, and she will hang out in her 'place' when we need her to. I hope to do the program again soon because she genuinely seems to love when sit means sit or we work with her. And, with a 2 week b/t you get free group classes for an entire year. It may seem costly but it's 100% worth it!! read more

I was referred to Sit means Sit by my vet, Austin Urban Vet. I had a one hour free consultation with Troy, one of the owners. Everything he said about my rescue dogs new bahvior made prefect sense. Their two dogs sat and watched calmly while he worked w my dog. My dog Bodie is stubborn! but in a few minutes he was doing what Troy asked him to do. I have complete faith that they can turn my rescue dog into an angel and thats a tall order. They are expesnive, but so are vet bills when dogs fight. read more

I was really excited when we signed our dog up for training. Unfortunately Covid put many limitations to the actual follow through of the program we signed her up for. I'm leaving 3 stars because I think the work that Maci did with our dog was really helpful. I found her to be super warm, friendly and really patient. Our dog went once a week for about a month to day classes. We saw a great improvement in her. Once her day classes were completed she was scheduled to go to group classes for a total of six months. This is where Covid jumps in and puts a break in the plan. For the first 2 months of communication with SMS a I was really patient and understanding. They had really nothing to offer us by way of classes. They kept offering one on ones but told me it would take away from her amount of classes she would get in group( we wanted her to learn to socialize with other dogs). After about 2 months of very little constructive communication they suggested in place of group I join a Facebook community for SMS. Umm ok? My frustration and reason for three stars is really about customer service and value. I kept voicing the fact that I felt we weren't getting what we signed up for. I would be told it wasn't there fault and I get it, but I'm still an unhappy customer. We spent close to 2k to constantly be told they had very little to offer us by way of classes. MY last conversation with the head trainer crystal lead me to not want to do business with SMS any longer. She told me we would now have to drive to cedar park if we wanted to participate in group classes. I explained to her how frustrating that was on top of everything else because we live 5 mins from the SMS north Austin location. She suggested if I was unhappy I should think about trying to get the Austin park laws changed. I was done after that. Sit Means Sit, maybe think about providing your staff with customer service classes and possible an attitude adjustment for your head trainer Crystal. I'll be taking the money you refunded me and signing my dog up for classes elsewhere. read more

We enrolled our two dogs almost two years ago, and for the first 6-9 months, we weren't really convinced things were getting better. One of our dogs couldn't be around people or other dogs without threatening them. He had to wear a muzzle when we took him to the vet. Dog park was certainly not an option. We avoided having people over, and no one would dog-sit him. Like a few of the lower-star reviews below, we were concerned we'd spent a good chunk of money (x2) for very little in return. Two years later, that same dog is able to sit quietly while we stand in line out in public. People can be in very close proximity, almost touching, but because of the training, he now looks to us for instruction. Instead of barking his head off and trying to jump his gate when people come over, he sits and waits patiently. After a few minutes, we let him out, and he simply ignores the stranger in the house. We're still a ways away from strangers being able to pet him, but now we have a regular dog-sitter, family and friends can come over without fear of being attacked, and we can take him to an outdoor lunch at Perla's (or the seafood place of your choice). Our dogs can now: sit indefinitely at a designated spot, sit before crossing the street, stand just inside the threshold of an open front door without ever rushing out, walk off-leash in parks without getting in fights with other dogs, etc. It's pricey, it takes a LOT of effort on your part, but it's one of the best things for your dogs. We became lifetime members so we can continue taking our dogs to group classes. Ultimately, it's well worth the money. read more

Shelly, Troy and the crew at Sit Means Sit Austin are the nicest and most professional dog trainers I have ever met. Compared to 1-hour classes at the pet supply store, their program is expensive and requires extensive commitment from the dog owners they work with, but the payoff is outstanding! Our dog has been training with Sit Means Sit since he was a puppy and we've had terrific results. He is well behaved, follows about a dozen commands (and counting!) and will gladly walk anywhere we go without a leash. While our dog had the benefit of being trained from puppyhood, I've also seen several cases of rescue dogs with severe behavioral problems making significant progress in the same program. Sit Means Sit uses an electric collar (e-collar) as a training tool. Using their method, the collar delivers a small electric current to the dog in conjunction with a command. Unlike a bark collar or electric fence collar, the e-collar has settings on a remote that allow the owners to deliver the smallest amount of stimulation necessary to get the dog's attention. I've tried it on myself and found that my dog is sensitive enough to keep our remote on a setting of 1 or 2, a level that amounts to little more than a tickle on my hand. Some dogs require a higher setting. Sit Means Sit teaches that the use of the e-collar is never to be used as punishment, but simply as a way of communicating to the dog that the owner wants him to do something. Once the dog is used to wearing the collar, it becomes as natural for dog and owner as the tugging of a leash. We first started using Sit Means Sit ove a year ago and continue to attend weekly group classes, which are free for the lifetime of the dog, because we see such a tremendous benefit from the program. Sit Means Sit offers a variety of services and a free consultation to anyone who is interested, so please take them up on it and see for yourself. read more

This training program has changed our lives forever! Thanks to their multifaceted approach, using a collar, home visits, private lessons and group classes, my dog has transformed from a wild and crazy puppy to a more mature and conscientious version of himself. This was the third attempt at trying obedience classes with my dog and this is the only one that has shown any real promise of sticking! Krystal, the trainer, was our absolute favorite with her straight forward and fun approach, but everyone we encountered at Sit Means Sit was friendly and professional. They are worth every penny! read more

This place is wonderful. I adopted my dog Apollo six months ago. He was having some behavior issues, a lot of anxiety and destroyed my fence a couple of times. A friend recommended this place and I couldn't be happier. The trainers are caring animal lovers. They answered all my questions and concerns and even explained my dogs behavior and reactions. I love the fact that they are so helpful and want you and your dog to succeed. I also love the fact that if any time after your training is done, you can reach out for more help if needed. They are committed to you and your dogs success. The price for training is expensive but you get what you pay for. I would recommend this place in a heart beat to anyone. Apollo is a totally different dog now. He's my chill, relax cuddle bug now that loves to go on walks and car rides. Thank you Sit Means Sit. read more

My dog is only 3 private lessons with Carrie in, and already I've seen a HUGE improvement. My boxer is pretty well behaved in most situations, but has terrible leash reactivity, as well as some boundary issues. After just 3 lessons, I already feel way more confident taking her for walks when we might encounter other dogs. Her eye contact is improving, and her manners around the house (which were already pretty good) are almost perfect! We have group lessons to look forward to. That, along with lots of practice will most definitely result in the well-behaved, trustworthy pup I've been wanting. A note about the e-collar. I know it is controversial, but I was absolutely convinced of its effectiveness and humaneness after a long talk with Carrie. I also tried it out on myself on various levels and it really does feel more like a tingle than a shock. It's used to get the dog's attention, and never as a punishment. Because my dog is responding so well, and never shows any traits of being "stressed out", bothered, or in pain when I use it, I'm absolutely sold on this method. read more